Alan Babbitt: Lions need to be selective when NFL free agency kicks off

The details still are being ironed out, but it appears the end of the NFL lockout is imminent and the 2011 season will be saved.Once the deal is done, there is going to be a mad rush to get players. Thirty-two teams will frantically fill their rosters for training camp by signing both drafted and undra...

By ALAN BABBITT

Holland Sentinel

By ALAN BABBITT

Posted Jul. 21, 2011 at 12:01 AM
Updated Jul 21, 2011 at 9:18 PM

By ALAN BABBITT

Posted Jul. 21, 2011 at 12:01 AM
Updated Jul 21, 2011 at 9:18 PM

Holland

The details still are being ironed out, but it appears the end of the NFL lockout is imminent and the 2011 season will be saved.

Once the deal is done, there is going to be a mad rush to get players.

Thirty-two teams will frantically fill their rosters for training camp by signing both drafted and undrafted rookies and by pursuing free agents they targeted or ones cut by teams to get under the salary cap.

For two or so weeks, it is going to be a stretch unlike any we have seen in sports.

It also offers the perfect setting for Detroit Lions general manager Martin Mayhew and coach Jim Schwartz to pounce and improve a once-pathetic team that’s on the rise.

We don’t know how much the Lions will spend on free agents, or how much they even have. Some reports peg the Lions about $16.6 million under the cap, although a final number for the league has not been finalized.

For the Lions’ sake, they should focus what free-agent resources they have on three areas — defensive back, linebacker and offensive line depth.

They would be wise to not splurge on one starter, say a talented but expensive cornerback such as Nnamdi Asomugha — the No. 1 free agent available right now.

Although Asomugha would give the Lions the shutdown corner they’ve lacked for years, he will cost too much. Despite the progress they made last season by finishing on a four-game win streak, the Lions are not one player away from challenging for a playoff berth three years after going a record 0-16.

They need two starters at cornerback if free-agent Chris Houston doesn’t re-sign, another starter or two at linebacker to help DeAndre Levy and another offensive lineman to fuel a budding ground game and protect oft-injured but promising quarterback Matthew Stafford.

Johnathan Joseph, who played with the Cincinnati Bengals in 2010, could be a cheaper option and just as productive talent in the secondary.

Use the savings to add veteran linebackers such as Stephen Tulloch, Justin Durant or Keith Bullock.

Just continue to stockpile talent and increase the depth on this team.

The Lions are looking more and more formidable with productive drafts the past two seasons.

The defensive line is ferocious with Ndamukong Suh and first-round draft pick Nick Fairley anchoring the middle and Cliff Avril and Kyle VandenBosch rushing off the edge. Opposing quarterback shouldn’t have much time to throw.

The offense is filling up with playmakers to support wide receiver Calvin Johnson, who still hasn’t scratched the surface of his potential.

Jahvid Best. Mikel LeShoure. Titus Young. Brandon Pettigrew.

Stafford has options.

What’s needed now is depth. The NFL is a marathon, not the sprint that will happen during this fast and furious free-agent spree that’s upcoming.

Page 2 of 2 - The Lions should be prudent with their money. The more help, the better.